The Queen

by C. J. Abedi

  I realized the only way I would escape my prison, surrounded by these bloodthirsty Fae, was to take my chances out in the forest regardless of the so-called monsters that awaited me. The forest was my only chance to escape.

  I kept reminding myself that I was Queen of the Light. I was also a descendent of this great race. Surely I had some powers as well.

  I stared at Alderon and silently pleaded with him. I refused to believe there wasn’t a part of Devilyn somewhere in there. Some good. There had to be some light in his heart. He had loved Tara, Devilyn’s mom. He had married her despite the fact that she was a Light Fae. Somewhere in there was some part of that man. The one who loved.

  Alderon stared back at me in disgust, and I had my answer.

  “You won’t find what you’re looking for, my dear,” he finally said. “That moment in time was only an illusion, just as I am now.”

  He disappeared before me.

  And within seconds I was back in the hellish dungeon I had left only hours before. I stretched out on the ground. The same voices continued to taunt me, growing louder with every minute.

  My eyes burned. I was so desperate for sleep; I needed rest so I could be as prepared as possible for the unknown. But they had clearly other plans. I closed my eyes and used every skill I had to drown out the sounds and voices and tried to devise a plan.

  One shallow breath at a time and several minutes later I had succeeded in slowly blocking out the noise around me. I imagined myself in the forest, among the trees, and I felt calm. Think, I told myself.

  Within moments, my mind was there mapping out the area. I wasn’t sure what part of the forest they were going to take me to, but there were so many trails that led in and out. I would simply need to find one and do my best to hide from any evil being that came across my path.

  I knew how to climb trees, years on the track team helped me become a decent runner, and I was smart. No matter what tomorrow brought, I would never give up and I wouldn’t show any weakness. Whether Fae or human, frailty wasn’t in my nature. I began to gain some confidence, a semblance of hope, but I promised myself that if I died I would do so with dignity and honor.

  I reminded myself of all the conversations I’d had with Dana. She had once told me that as a member of the Fae I was born with many magikal powers, but as a Queen of the Fae my powers were boundless. They were within me, and I needed to draw them out. By staying focused I could tap into the gifts of the Light Fae.

  It was my only chance.

  In a few hours, fate would decide what would become of me, but I wasn’t going down without a fight.

  D

  I stood along the outer edges of the Dark Forest. Although the moon was lighting up the night’s sky an ominous shadow had fallen across the landscape. Entering in the evening, shrouded by darkness, played in my favor. They would not be able to detect me. I waited a moment before I moved forward into the night.

  Within minutes I found myself praying.

  I prayed for Caroline’s life. I prayed that she would be able to live a normal human existence, away from all the ugliness that the Fae had brought her kin. I would do anything for it. I would sell my soul to the darkness for eternity if I could be promised her safety. If only the Fates could hear me.

  And if they could, I prayed that they would listen.

  I was reentering my playground, my home, an arena that had always calmed me, soothed my soul. But not this evening. This evening it was clearly on guard, beckoning war, angry and ready for battle. Today, every sound, whether it was the crackling of branches under my feet or the whistling of leaves as they blew before me, had me on high alert.

  All of my senses were hyper-aware. I wasn’t reentering my former approving home; there wasn’t a welcoming party to greet me. I was now an uninvited stranger here to regain control of my birthright and bring home the only person I would ever love.

  I scanned the many entrances, taking in a moment to clear my thoughts before I entered the Devil’s playground.

  “Devilyn, where are you going?” A familiar voice called out to me. I whipped around to face it.

  “You need to leave.”

  “Leave? I’m coming with you,” Rowan replied.

  Rowan was a powerful warrior. At any other time I would have been grateful to have him by my side, but not today. This was my fight. And mine alone.

  “This isn’t up for discussion. You don’t belong here,” I told him harshly. “I know the terrain of this land. I know the secrets. I don’t want to worry—”

  Rowan immediately grabbed me by my shirt.

  “Worry?” He answered harshly, “Think before you speak, Devilyn.”

  I could have easily pushed him off, but I acknowledged the fact that I had insulted him. He too had pride.

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” I told him.

  “This isn’t a pissing contest, Devilyn,” Rowan said as he let go of me. “Caroline’s life is on the line, and that’s all that matters to me. And you are not my King.”

  “Don’t you push me, Rowan—” I warned.

  “Or what?” He sneered. “You’re not a martyr. You’re foolish. And your arrogance and conceit will result in your downfall.”

  Rowan was now in my face, inches away. “She is a beautiful woman, and she deserves more than you could ever offer her. She deserves a massive army, united for the sole purpose of saving her. Your foolish ideas will only get you both killed.”

  “I know what she deserves,” I replied. “You despise me, I know. You don’t find me worthy of her, and I’m probably not. But she is my destiny as I am hers. Set aside your hatred for just one moment and remember that I know every square inch of this forest. I know the way my people operate, how they think and scheme, and more importantly what each of their skills are. I won’t allow myself to be distracted by anyone, even if your intentions are pure. I'm not wasting another second discussing this.” I tried to soften my tone, but it was hard because every decision I made would mean life or death. “If I need help, I will reach out to Odin and he will find you.”

  Rowan stared at me for a long moment. And then took a step back.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing. Her life is in your hands now.”

  Rowan continued to back away and watched me walk into the darkness.

  “I will wait here until you return, Devilyn. And just so we’re clear, if you’re not back in twenty-four hours I’m coming in. And I won’t be alone.”

  I knew that my decisions didn’t make sense to anyone, but they did to me. My actions had placed everyone I cared about at risk, and I would no longer do that. If I wasn’t capable of bringing Caroline to safety, then I wasn’t worthy of her. I wasn’t worthy of being a King. Even though his words taunted me, I knew he was only doing what he believed to be right.

  “So be it.”

  I turned away from him and slipped into the forest.

  The silvery moon hovered above the tall trees, lighting my entrance and guiding me to the Black Water River. There were many trails that led there, some more dangerous than others. The great poet, Robert Frost, had spoken of taking the road less traveled, and I knew that they would be waiting for me on that very path.

  So I took another way right through the center of the forest. It was the most frightening area of the entire Dark Kingdom. There were trees that could consume you whole if you got too close. They went from harmless lush beacons to terrifying in a blink of an eye, with giant razor teeth meant to devour you in your entirety. There were black birds that would watch and call out to you, attempting to trick you into following a path that would lead nowhere. One simple turn and you would be lost for centuries. In some areas, ghosts from the past would try and lure you into spending some time with them. Time that would end up turning into an eternity. Beautiful sirens would call out to you in temptation, waiting for the moment when they could devour your soul. And these were just a few of the dark surprises that awaited whoever was brave enough to enter.
>
  I could instantly feel their eyes on me. These creatures observed from a distance, waiting patiently for their victims to make a wrong move. An eerie sense of foreboding coursed through my veins, but I continued forward.

  My so-called father, in whatever form he embodied needed to be stopped. His disfigurement had only further inflamed his anger and hatred.

  Alderon was no longer the dashing Prince; he was no longer able to charm his victims with his looks or promises of love and passion. He had lost one of his most precious powers, a commodity that had assisted him in reaching every horrific goal he had ever set. Now that he was captured in an abysmal, smoke-like essence, his sadistic proclivities had reached unimaginable heights.

  It gave me immense satisfaction to know that I had cut him off at his knees. I succeeded where no one else had, and I would succeed again. Despite our destiny, despite the plan that the Fates had in store, I vowed to bring Caroline home. I would destroy all of her enemies if that was what it would take to keep her safe. No more would I have her living a life where she constantly needed to look over her shoulder. I would make sure that anyone intent on destroying her would be devastated beyond recovery.

  My powers allowed me to travel at a rapid pace. I felt that Caroline was being held in the heart of the forest. Even with my strength, and even though the trees recognized their leader and cleared the path for me, getting to her would take time.

  As I neared the gnarled black branches, they swept swiftly aside. It was like a dance with nature. I closed my eyes and allowed my senses to lead me. To duck when I needed to, move to the right, or crouch down low to avoid being cut. I merged my energy with the power of the forest and felt my way through the tangled maze.

  After several hours, I could finally hear them. My people. The blackest souls who epitomized evil. The Dark Fae, the ones who stood for all that was bad with the world. There were many loitering around. Some I recognized, and others were not familiar. I wondered what hole they had crawled out from. The energy was buzzing with excitement. All of them humming in anticipation of her death. Their arrogance enraged me, but it also allowed me to take them by surprise. They believed nothing could get to them.

  And they were quite wrong.

  Their whispers and laughter grew more and more pronounced as I came closer. I ignored the high-pitched shrieks of the forest. As I continued on, the ground changed from dry dirt to mud. I knew I had to be close, which meant that the stronger Fae might feel my presence.

  Especially Alderon.

  There was no doubt in my mind that he could sense my arrival, but whether he would alert the other Fae remained to be seen.

  Within moments I came upon the river. The water swirled mystically, rising and falling, taking different shapes. Right before my eyes, it rose about and formed an image of a tree, then crashed, then a bird, then the vast sky lit up by so many stars. It was a beautiful sight, but in the depths of those dark waves lay something so dangerous and deadly that it could destroy you if you dared to even put a foot in.

  I forged ahead and as I reached the mouth of the river, the battle that I had come for finally greeted me.

  “Devilyn,” Alderon’s threatening voice echoed through the night and over the water, causing a wave to move in my direction. “I’m so happy to see that you’ve finally joined us.”

  I closed my eyes for a brief moment. When I opened them I knew they were liquid, black fire.

  Within seconds I could see the Dark Fae all around me. The elders sat in a circle before a bright white orb that resembled the moon. The other Fae were behind the council, seated on the ground amongst the trees, cloaked by their capes, nothing visible but their wicked smiles.

  Alderon was before me, with his back facing them. It was quite a surprise to see my father living with his new form. He tried to appear unaffected, but I knew better.

  “My son,” he began.

  “I am not your son.”

  “You cannot deny your blood.”

  “I do not deny the manner in which I was created,” I returned. “But I have only one father and his name is Odin. And he is a great God and an even greater man.”

  Alderon’s face contorted in rage at the mere mention of the man he despised above all others.

  “You could have been a great king,” he finally said. “But the Fates had a different plan for you.” Alderon’s threatening voice echoed through the tiny waves of the stream, causing them to roll forward in my direction.

  “Where is she?” I asked, ignoring his comment.

  “Patience,” Alderon replied.

  “There is a darkness inside my soul unlike anything you’ve seen. If you’ve hurt her, I will burn this kingdom and every Fae that exists within it,” I told him, enraged.

  “Good things always come to those who wait,” he said. “We have saved a seat for you, and given your rank, you can rest assured that it is front and center.”

  “I am a King,” I said to him a dangerous voice. “You forget yourself.”

  “Do I? Or do you forget yourself, my son?” He sneered at me. “I have never known a king to abandon his kingdom time and time again. I have never known a king who so outwardly supports his people’s own destruction.”

  “You know nothing of what I support,” I said with rage.

  “Don’t I?” he countered. “Kingdom of the Light. Odin. A half-breed abomination whose very existence goes against all the ancient laws of our people. That, my dear, dear son, is what you support.”

  I tried to get a hold of my emotions. I didn’t want to argue or lash out at him in front of the rest of the Fae. All that mattered was Caroline’s safety.

  “And I promise you this,” Alderon continued as he moved close to me like a deadly mist in the night. “There will be a time of reckoning.”

  I met his gaze evenly.

  “So be it,” I said to him. “Now, stop playing games. Where is she?”

  “You will see her soon. That much I can promise.”

  Chapter Three

  “Run my dear from anything that may not strengthen your precious budding wings. Run like hell my dear, from anyone likely to put a sharp knife into the sacred tender vision of your beautiful heart.”

  —Hafiz

  Roanoke Island, North Carolina

  The Year of our Lord, 1587

  Eleanor Dare

  He was the most beautiful vision I had ever seen.

  And the second time I set eyes on him, there were three things I knew.

  He was not human.

  I trusted him.

  And I felt something for him. Something strong. Comforting.

  I now knew it was love.

  It happened on a rainy day when I was out in the forest collecting my usual supplies. I had gotten caught up in an unexpected storm and had taken refuge under a giant tree waiting for the downpour to pass. I was soaking wet.

  Cold.

  And craving the warmth of my hearth more than anything.

  Like a beacon of white, angelic light, he came out of the forest and stood proudly before me. He was a tall, golden God, blessed with deep blue eyes, the same color as the very storm that we were in. He was soaking wet but not shivering as I was. The iridescent blue of his eyes seemed to glow as he looked down on me.

  “Let me warm you,” he whispered as he stepped close to me and took my hands in his. From the second his skin touched mine I felt a heat move through my body.

  I couldn’t meet his eyes. I stared straight at his collar. I remember leaning forward and taking in a deep breath so I could memorize his musky masculine smell. His body immediately stiffened, leaving me blushing, completely mortified by my wanton behavior.

  I immediately stepped away from him, pulling my hands away from his, even though I desperately craved his warmth.

  “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled. I stepped aside, deciding to run for it and take my chances in the rain.

  “My name is Arthur,” he said.

  I turned back to him. “Like King Arthu
r?”

  “I am not a King, Eleanor,” his voice had been somber.

  “How do you know my name?”

  C

  I awoke with the sunlight shining directly in my eyes. I could feel the surface change beneath me. In a second I was transferred from my prison to a much larger cage, where I knew many unwelcome and terrifying surprises awaited me.

  For a moment I chose to just lie there and take in my last few moments of peace. With each breath, my short life flashed before me. I had been so blessed. I saw my mother’s peaceful face, smiling at me as I twirled in front of her in my leotard, and then my dad hanging out with me around the kitchen island as we shared a piece of chocolate cake and a laugh. I saw Famous sitting on the couch by the front door, waiting for me to get home so he could shower me with love and adoration. I saw myself with Teddy, contemplating life and the future with my best friend, as we always did.

  And then I saw Devilyn.

  Looking down at me.

  Cupping my cheeks in his strong hands and pulling me close for a kiss that sent chills down my spine.

  Was this it? My last hours on Earth? Had my whole life come to this very moment?

  Even though the fear of the unknown overtook me, I knew I could not prolong the inevitable.

  And so I met my destiny head on, and carefully surveyed my surroundings.

  There were no prison gates around me anymore. They had magically disappeared. I was alone and in the middle of the Dark Forest. I sat up slowly, my body aching from sleeping on the cold ground. For a human, the forest would seem harmless, almost idyllic. But I knew that there were dark forces at work, about to unleash hell on me. This beautiful landscape was about to become the playground for my unimaginable. I had to hide quickly and pray that whatever power I would face wouldn’t be strong enough to find me.

  Think, Caroline.

  Before I found shelter, I needed a weapon. I got up quickly and searched my surroundings. A sharp rock would help, or maybe a long stick—I could put my nonexistent shop skills to use and whittle it into a spear.